I’m a sleepaholic. Is that a thing? Seriously, there is nothing I love more than crawling into bed after a long day (or a short one) or sneaking in a midday nap on the couch. My friends 
and family even tease me about how much and how easily I can fall asleep anywhere. My husband is jealous when I am out like a light minutes after my head hits the pillow. Sleep is not something I usually struggle with, but it IS something that the majority of adults do struggle with. And in all seriousness, that’s a problem! Sleep is vital for your health, both physical and mental and it’s hard enough to even consider fitting in the 7-9 recommended hours per night, let alone ensuring that the sleep you do get is sound & uninterrupted. So how does sleep quality find its place on a food blog?
Certain foods actually contain sleep promoting properties which means that what you eat can directly impact how you sleep. Below are six different foods to eat if you’re looking to catch more/better zzz’s.
1. Almonds: Ever heard of or seen Melatonin in the vitamin section of the grocery store? In our bodies, melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain and it helps to promote our sleep and wake cycles. Almonds contain a small amount of melatonin too. Additionally, almonds are a great source of magnesium, a mineral known to reduce inflammation as well as reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Less inflammation and decreased stress sounds like a route to peaceful sleep to me.
2. Turkey: Come on … this one shouldn’t be too surprising, but it should bring a smile to your face. The Thanksgiving naps aren’t caused solely by full bellies. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is an amino acid that increases the body’s production of aforementioned melatonin.
3. Kiwi: A study done by Healthline really took me by surprise with this one.
“In a four-week study, 24 adults consumed two kiwifruits one hour before going to bed each night. At the end of the study, participants fell asleep 42% more quickly than when they didn’t eat anything before bedtime. Additionally, their ability to sleep through the night without waking improved by 5%, while their total sleep time increased by 13%. The sleep-promoting effects of kiwis are thought to be due to their content of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate your sleep cycle.”
Interesting, right?
4. Chamomile Tea: Mmmm, I love chamomile, which reminds me that I need to go pick up some tea. Anyway, in addition to boosting your immune system, Chamomile tea can also help you fall asleep. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia. Plus, who doesn’t love a nice cup of tea to get cozy?
5. Tart Cherry Juice: This one got me thinking because I am obsessed with cherries & eat them every single day. I wonder if that’s (part of) the reason why I am such a sleepyhead! But I digress, tart cherries contain high amounts melatonin so if you struggle to fall asleep at night, it’s worth giving them a try before you get into bed!
Sleep may seem like a pretty strange topic for a restaurant’s blog but … consider the author here. I love to eat and I love to sleep so really … it’s a perfect topic.
Rebecca McKinney
I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.
So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!
Eat well & travel often,
Becky McKinney
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